NHS Forth Valley will work closely with other boards across the country

Daily Record

01-05-2025

Forth Valley health chiefs joining forces with other boards in progressive venture
Radical new wide-ranging plans which will mean NHS Forth Valley teaming up with other health authorities across the country to help improve care and reduce waiting times have been given support at a local level.
In January, First Minister John Swinney provided an update on the NHS Renewal Plan, which would be underpinned by an Operational Improvement Plan, a 10 year Population Health Framework; and a Service Reform Framework.
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Within this context, all health boards have been asked to take update papers on the emergent governance arrangements including the establishment of the NHS Scotland Executive Group.
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This initiative aims to foster a more collaborative philosophy within NHS Scotland, with Boards urged to adopt a systematic approach to balancing local delivery with the broader responsibility of meeting the needs of larger populations beyond their geographical boundaries in the delivery of planned care.
Chief Executive Ross McGuffie said at a special meeting of NHS Forth Valley on Tuesday: ''The initiative aims to shift more care into communities and homes, reduce hospital admissions, and improve access to treatment.
'This comprehensive approach seeks to address immediate pressures, promote preventive care, and leverage technological advancements to ensure a more efficient and patient-centred healthcare system.'
The Chief Executive said the board already worked with Greater Glasgow and Clyde for tertiary care, which ranges from cancer treatment to organ transplantation.
The Scottish Government have committed to publishing three key plans to support the reform agenda:
Health and Social Care Operational Improvement Plan.
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10-year Population Health Framework
Service Reform Framework.
Given the anticipated magnitude of change associated with the NHS Renewal agenda, the likely level of scrutiny and reporting of progress and impact, it will be necessary to ensure this is fully reflected in local performance management arrangements.
The first element of the NHS Renewal Plan, the Operational Improvement Plan, was published on March 31 and set out a focus on the immediate actions required over the next 12 to 18 months, with the aim of:
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Reducing waiting times by maximising local, regional and national capacity, including the expansion of diagnostic services.
Offering more care and support in communities and at home.
Improving access through digital and technological solutions.
Preventing illness and pro-actively meeting people's needs.
The latest advice from Scottish Government is that the second element of the NHS Renewal Plan, the Population Health Framework, is due to be published in June and will be underpinned by four guiding principles:
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Prioritise creating and maintaining good health and preventing ill health.
Focus support on the people and communities who need it most.
Change systems and environments to support individuals to stay healthy.
Deliver through a whole system approach.
The final Annual Delivery Plan 2025-26 that will come to the NHS Board for final approval will include all aspects necessitated within the Operational Improvement Plan.
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The latest advice from Scottish Government is that the second element of the NHS Renewal Plan, the Population Health Framework, is due to be published in June and will be underpinned by four guiding principles:
Prioritise creating and maintaining good health and preventing ill health
Focus support on the people and communities who need it most
Change systems and environments to support individuals to stay healthy; and
Deliver through a whole system approach.
The draft of the NHS Forth Valley Population Health Strategy will go out for a final round of engagement, with an expected completion date of late summer/early autumn. This will allow time to ensure all key aspects of the national strategy are able to be referenced within the local strategy, though the Interim Director of Public Health has been involved in both processes from the outset supporting alignment.
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The third element of the NHS Renewal Plan, the Service Reform Framework, is also due to be published in June and is expected to offer guidance and direction on how services should be planned and delivered to enhance sustainability and value for money, whilst maximising population health.
NHS Forth Valley Board noted the commitment set out by the First Minister to progress the renewal and reform of the NHS in Scotland, and associated requirement for the Board to seek assurance on delivery of these commitments and the evolution of the new governance arrangements intended to enable and foster stronger collective accountability, whilst underpinning the strength of local accountability mechanisms.
The local board acknowledged and endorsed the duality of their role for the population or board they serve as well as their contribution to population planning that will cross traditional board boundaries.